Peer Group concerned with body image and eating disorders

IMAGE:

Who We Are and What We Do

Programs and Events

Promoting Positive Self Image

What is an Eating Disorder/Disordered Eating?

Eating Disorder Self Assessment

How to Help a Friend

Resources

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Who we are and What We Do 

IMAGE Taskforce

a peer group concerned with body image and eating disorders

Image

        Management

                Awareness

                          Growth and

                                    Education

Mission Statement: The goals of this student task force are to advocate for positive self image and acceptance, to educate through dispelling inaccurate representations of an ideal body and to reduce the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors on the UCI campus.

IMAGE Events and Programs

Promoting Positive Self Image

Dove Evolution

Dove's Campaign

Ten Steps To Positive Body Image

One list cannot automatically tell you how to turn negative body thoughts into positive body image, but it can help you think about new ways of looking more healthfully and happily at yourself and your body. The more you do that, the more likely you are to feel good about who you are and the body you naturally have.

• Appreciate all that your body can do. Every day your body carries you closer to your dreams. Celebrate all of the amazing things your body does for you --running, dancing, breathing, laughing, dreaming, etc.
• Keep a top-10 list of things you like about yourself -- things that aren’t related to how much you weigh or what you look like. Read your list often. Add to it as you become aware of more things to like about you.
• Remind yourself that “true beauty” is not simply skin-deep. When you feel good about yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with a sense of confidence, self-acceptance, and openness that makes you beautiful regardless of whether you physically look like a supermodel. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of your body.
• Look at yourself as a whole person. When you see yourself in a mirror or in your mind, choose not to focus on specific body parts. See yourself as you want others to see
  you -- as a whole person.
• Surround yourself with positive people. It is easier to feel good about yourself and your body when you are around others who are supportive and who recognize the importance of liking yourself just as you naturally are.
• Shut down those voices in your head that tell you your body is not “right” or that you are a “bad” person. You can overpower those negative thoughts with positive ones. The next time you start to tear yourself down, build yourself back up with a few quick affirmations that work for you.
• Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel good about your body. Work with your body, not against it.
• Become a critical viewer of social and media messages. Pay attention to images, slogans, or attitudes that make you feel bad about yourself or your body. Protest these messages: write a letter to the advertiser or talk back to the image or message.
• Do something nice for yourself -- something that lets your body know you appreciate it. Take a bubble bath, make time for a nap, find a peaceful place outside to relax.
• Use the time and energy that you might have spent worrying about food, calories, and your weight to do something to help others. Sometimes reaching out to other people can help you feel better about yourself and can make a positive change in our world.

2002, Ten Steps To Positive Body Image,

Retrieved [30 August 2007] From the Web: http://www.edap.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=286&Profile_ID=41158

Definition of Eating Disorders/Disordered eating

Eating disorders are abnormal eating behaviors that are characterized by physiological and/or psychological disturbances in appetite or food intake.

What is an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues.

They are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

Symptoms/Warning Signs include:

• Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level
• Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
• Feeling “fat” or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
• Loss of menstrual periods
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape

BULIMIA NERVOSA is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food--more than most people would eat in one meal--in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising.

Symptoms/Warning Signs  include:

• Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
• Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness
• Purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
• Frequent dieting
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape

BINGE EATING DISORDER (also known as COMPULSIVE OVEREATING) is characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a binge. People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.

OTHER EATING DISORDERS can include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating disorder. While these behaviors may not be clinically considered a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous and emotionally draining. All eating disorders require professional help.

2002, What is an Eating Disorder,

Retrieved [30 August 2007] From the Web:     http://www.edap.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=320&Profile_ID=41145

Eating disorder  Self Assessment

Try taking an self assessment to see how you rate.

http://www.health.uci.edu/services/nutrition/edtest.aspx

Note to db: please insert link

How to Help a Friend (ERT Associates, 2002):

·  Focus on the Positive.

·  Express concern. Talk about your friend’s health and happiness rather than their eating behavior

·  Be patient and be there.

·  Encourage your friend to seek professional help. Go with them to their first visit.

·  Don’t give advice. Don’t be part of the talk that focuses just on food, body size or weight.

·  Change doesn’t happen overnight. Change takes time.

RESOURCES

If you would like more information on eating disorders, body image, and health, or would like to talk to a professional about your thoughts/feelings there are free resources available to you. For more information please contact:

For treatment and counseling: Counseling Center, Student Services I, Room 201 949-824-6457, Mental Health and Counseling, Student Health Center, 949-824-1835

Nutrition Services:

              Health Education Center, Student Center 949-824-3894

              Student Health Center, 949-824-5301

Medical Doctor:

              Primary Care Student Health Center, 949-824-5301

Eating Disorders:  Note to David: Please insert these links

edfoc.org, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org,
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org, www.edap.org